Factory Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales has the edge on the Australian MotoGP field heading into the pivotal qualifying session, but eight-time world champion Marc Marquez looms large.
Vinales, last year’s winner at Phillip Island, handled Friday’s changeable weather conditions superbly to clock the fastest times in the opening two free practice sessions – the first on a rain-affected track and the second in bright sunshine.
Marquez, who has started from pole position at the past five Australian MotoGPs, was clearly annoyed to have been held up by teammate Jorge Lorenzo late in a blistering hot lap in the second session.
But the superstar Spaniard is happy with the set-up of his Repsol Honda and is set to hit Saturday with a full head of steam.
“I’m happy, we couldn’t find the best way to have a good time on my fast lap, but the rhythm is there and I am riding better than I expected,” Marquez said.
“I expected Vinales to be strong here but we are not far behind.
“The pace is good and I’m feeling good.”
The MotoGP field had an extra 20 minutes on the track on Friday for a tyre testing session to trial Michelin tyres that will be used next year.
The times didn’t count toward qualifying but Marquez was quickest during the session.
Local hope Jack Miller (Pramac Racing Ducati) is well-positioned to attack the third free practice and qualifying from fifth position in the afternoon session.
Rookie of the year Fabio Quartararo sat out the afternoon session after he took a nasty spill in the morning.
The French sensation, who has finished second to Marquez three times in the past four races, suffered a badly bruised foot and will require medical clearance to get on his Petronas Yamaha SRT on Saturday.
“We will go back to the medical centre to see if I’m fit or not, but it was not a nice crash,” Quartararo said.
“I’m feeling pain but nothing is broken luckily.
“We will make our best (on Saturday) and if we can ride it’s good, but we will not take a risk.”